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SPAN Annual Conference Covered by C-SPAN's "Business of Books" Show
For a printable version of this release, please click here.
November 1998 - For the first time in history, SPAN covered SPAN. The cameras were rolling. Bagpipes played a welcoming processional. And the energy went off the Richter scale when the third annual conference of the Small Publishers Association of North America (SPAN) began October 23 in Baltimore, Maryland. Attendees from 32 states, Canada, and Puerto Rico gathered for three days to learn how to "Jump Start Your Book Sales."
Opening keynote speaker was Patricia Schroeder, president and CEO of the Association of American Publishers. Stressing the importance of copyright protection on the Internet, she pointed out that "American jobs come from products of the mind not of the hands." Schroeder further urged that publishers join with software developers and the music industry to band together for a united front. "Rumps together, horns out," was her rallying cry. "It is critical that, when we come to Washington, we speak with one voice." Citing our pathetic literacy rate, she additionally reminded the audience that "Literacy is the on-ramp to the information highway."
Another hit of the conference was Kim Gosselin, who declared, "You can get rich selling books as premiums!" Gosselin revealed the specific strategies she used to yield over $1.5 million in premium sales to various companies. The luncheon finale speaker -- Arielle Ford, publicity guru who launched the Chicken Soup series and Deepak Chopra -- shared several insider secrets she employs to book authors on key shows and line up print media.
Part of the conference was a vendor expo where attendees could meet book manufacturers, graphic designers, insurance brokers, software developers, wholesalers, a media coach, and others. A book printing plant tour and a Baltimore After Dark bus tour rounded out one evening. During the annual Membership Meeting more discount programs were announced: savings on Literary Market Place online products and substantial discounts on computer hardware, software, and accessories at CompUSA.
Besides providing an exceptional learning and motivational experience, the SPAN conference was a perfect venue for networking. Badges declared the genre in which attendees publish, specially designated luncheon tables gave them an opportunity to get acquainted, and a printed roster of those attending facilitated ongoing contact.
Said Valerie Wiener of PowerMark Publishing, "Rarely does a conference provide such a broad spectrum of information, services, and networking opportunities. An exceptional investment of time, money, and energy. `A+' from start to finish."
Audio tapes are available by calling 719-395-4790. For more information about the many benefits of SPAN membership visit http://www.spannet.org, email marilynross@spannet.org, or call the above number for a free sample newsletter.
Marilyn Ross
SPAN (Small Publishers Association of North America)
719-395-4790
marilynross@spannet.org
http://www.spannet.org
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